According to Field Yates, former University of Alabama defensive tackle, Marcell Dareus has restructured his contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dareus’ new deal shrinks his salary from $8.335 million to $2.835 million saving the Jaguars $5 million in cap space. In addition to his new salary, Dareus will receive a $5 million bonus up front which will eliminate the final year of his contract making him a free agent after this season.

By Dareus agreeing to restructure his deal it now opens up the option for Jacksonville to pursue a quarterback in free agency.

Dareus turned in a solid year this past season as a rotation piece in Jacksonville’s deep defensive line. He recorded 32 total tackles, two for loss and a single sack.

Before being taken third overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 NFL draft, Dareus was a two-year starter at Alabama and was one of the most dominant defensive linemen Nick Saban has ever had. Dareus was instrumental in helping Saban capture his first national championship against Texas, where he knocked Colt McCoy out of the game in the first quarter and recovered a fumble which he returned for a touchdown.

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77.